Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - May 14 & 15, 2009
Judge sends local man to jail
David Goulet, age 33, of Princeton, attended Provincial Court in Princeton on May 15 to be sentenced on two charges. The first was an assault charge dating back to November 30, 2007. Goulet assaulted a man who was with Goulet's former girlfriend. Goulet was on probation at the time.
Goulet added a guilty plea on a charge dated January 9, 2009, stating Goulet had stolen a wrench worth $250 from David Thomas. Thomas suspected Goulet had taken it when visiting Thomas' home, and it turned out Goulet had pawned the wrench, then redeemed it. Thomas never got it back.
Crown Counsel asked for a six month jail term for Goulet, with added days for the theft. Goulet's lawyer argued at length against a jail term, saying Goulet's main problem was alcohol, and he would not necessarily have suitable counselling in jail.
The judge decided Goulet, who has a long criminal record, had had enough chances, and sentenced him to four months in jail, plus seven days for the theft. The jail term is to be followed by one year on probation, during which he is not to enter any place where alcohol is sold. Goulet has a five year weapons prohibition, must give a DNA sample, and must pay $250 to David Thomas.
Impaired nets big fine
Princeton resident Michael J. Slatten appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on May 14 to plead guilty to a charge of having care and control of a vehicle while having a blood alcohol level over .08. When apprehended on January 30, 2009, Slatten failed a breath analysis with readings of .190 and .200. Slatten had a prior impaired conviction from 1993, combined with the high blood alcohol level, the judge sentenced Slatten to pay a $1,500 fine plus a 15 percent victim fine surcharge. Slatten is prohibited from driving for one year.
Woman agrees to peace bond
Tara Ryan, age 22 of Princeton, attended Provincial Court in Princeton on May 14 facing an assault charge. Information presented to the court indicated Ryan had become angry with her boyfriend, Michael Barnetson, on January 16, and had pushed him. Crown Counsel suggested settling the matter with a $500 peace bond. For the next six months, Ryan is to have no contact with Barnetson.
Bond creates neighbour peace
Kevin Lynch lives across the street from Melvin Bass. On January 1, Bass complained to police about 37 year old Lynch's behaviour. He told police he was awakened at 4:25 AM by his dogs barking and found Lynch was outdoors yelling. At 6:25 AM., the Bass dogs began barking again, and once again, Lynch was the source of the problem, Bass told police. Finally, at 11:15 AM, as Bass was outdoors shoveling snow, Lynch yelled at him. Bass told police he had a history of having Lynch annoy him.
The judge ordered Lynch to serve a $200 peace bond, lasting one year, during which he is to have no direct contact with Bass and stay off the Bass property.
Woman pays for breach
Erica Edwards, age 44, of Williams Lake, stood trial on May 14 in Princeton on a charge of breaching bail conditions by consuming alcohol. Edwards maintained she had not been drinking on September 6, 2008, but was under the influence of medication she was taking for an anxiety disorder. She presented copies of her prescriptions. Edwards' mother testified that when the RCMP brought her daughter home, there was no smell of alcohol on Edwards' breath.
Two RCMP constables testified that they had received a call advising there was a female passed out in a vehicle parked at a pub in Princeton. They had gone to the location and awakened Edwards, asked her for identification, and talked to her. Both said they had noted a strong odour of alcohol coming from her. They had taken her to her mother's house to be cared for.
During the time they were with her, the RCMP officers had talked to her, and had heard her say a friend had driven her from another pub, and she had been refused service at the pub where she was found.
The judge found Edwards guilty and ordered her to pay a $200 fine.
Guilty plea nets probation
A bout with drugs and alcohol, along with some ensuing bizarre behaviour, brought Jayson Caruso to court in Princeton on May 15. He entered a guilty plea to a charge of assault. He had gone to a home and created a disturbance, was sent away, but returned and the situation became aggressive. The 19 year old Princeton man was ordered to serve a suspended sentence of 12 months probation. He is to have no contact with Joel Milligan, and is to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs. He is prohibited from owning firearms and must give a DNA sample.
Judge orders fine for assault
Joel Milligan, age 35, of Princeton, attended Provincial Court in Princeton on May 15 to plead guilty to an assault charge. Milligan had attacked a man whose son had been in an altercation with Milligan's son. Milligan had heard the man was threatening to do something to Milligan's son.
Milligan had a criminal record, so was ordered to pay a $500 fine, and have no contact with the two people involved in the incident. Milligan was issued a five year weapons prohibition and ordered to give a DNA sample.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
